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Sizing Tips for Buying Lingerie

Many women and most men don't have their sizes available when shopping for lingerie or other garments for that matter. The first rule when buying garments in a store is try it on. Of course, this is not possible when purchasing items over the web. This is why it is essential to have sizes available when ordering online. Flirty Lingerie has been online since 1999 and we know from experience that sizing is the number one issue when it comes to purchasing lingerie of any kind, whether it is for yourself or for your wife or girlfriend. We have a number of size charts available for you to get an idea of what size you are. Keep in mind that buying intimate apparel, lingerie, panties and bras requires a different approach to buying clothing. 

Know your size: Great, except many women and most men don't know the size when purchasing lingerie, or your size has changed since the last time you took measurements. Among other things, we at Flirty lingerie know that women don't check their sizes often. A lot of things are more important than checking bra, panty, hip and waist sizes. For that reason we offer some suggestions. 

1.    Before shopping online take a few minutes, that is all it will take, to take a few measurement. These few minutes will make your life a little easier down the road as it is frustrating making a purchase online and upon receiving it finding out it is the wrong size. 

2.    If you know your sizes such as bust, waist, hips, height and weight, then keep in mind that many lingerie items are sold as a "one size fits most", and it is important to know what this means, and if these sizes fit your frame. 

3.    Keep in mind some general rules that are size related. Teddies/Bodysuits/Body Stockings- Due to the fact that teddies extend from the neckline to the crotch, please be aware that if you are long waisted, the teddy must cut into your crotch or shoulders as it is too small. Women come in all shapes and sizes and one sizing dilemma is the short waisted versus long waisted  one. How do you know you are short or long waisted? Well, about the only way to know for sure is to try on any lingerie item or a one piece bathing suit. Does the bathing suit have to stretch to far to be comfortable? If so, you may be long waisted. If the item does not fit snugly, then you may be short waisted. Not a big deal, but you may want to avoid the teddy/bodysuit and body stocking items. 

4.    One size fits most does not mean one size fits all. Years ago manufacturers listed items as one size fits all. Well, guess what? No they don't. The manufacturers changed the sizing to one size fits most, but many persist in thinking it means one size fits all. Even a passing thought would tell you that it is impossible for any garment to fit every size regardless of height, weight and other measurements. So, beware of the one size fits most designation. Hosiery is one size fits most, for the most part. If you have slender legs, the pantyhose may bunch at the ankles, or knees. If you are tall, they may not make it past your lower thighs. Heavy? The hosiery may not fit well at all! So what to do? When buying from an online site, only trust those that have telephone or better yet, toll free numbers to answer your questions. Of course there are plus size one fits most designations, but no slender one size fits most. Call to clarify what you are purchasing!  At Flirty Lingerie we offer toll free customer service support seven days a week during working hours. We love to answer these questions as it helps to insure that you are buying the size that is right for you. 

5.    Do these items run small? Running small and being made to fit snugly aren't the same thing. Some items do run small like leather, vinyl and costumes. While others are meant to fit snugly, like panties, skirts, corsets and the like. What is the difference? Well, sexy lingerie is generally short, snug and body flattering. That is partly why it is sexy! Flirty Lingerie sells a lot of sexy costumes, and after seeing literally thousands of girls try them on- girls love to shop together and can't resist showing their girlfriends and boyfriends how the costume looks on- we have learned that these costumes are short and tight. This is why we often suggest girls purchase ruffle panties or boy shorts to go under those "oh so short" costumes. So are they running small or meant to fit snug and sexy? Regardless of who wins that argument, suffice it to say that, keep in mind how you want the garments to fit. Some women want a "show off the goods fit", while others want it to fit "right". These may not be the same thing. Panties should fit snug, not tight. Micro mini skirts should reveal your panties when you bend over, if you dare bend over. Again, Flirty Lingerie doesn't tell our customers how to look, we just love giving them the information to make that decision for themselves. Again, if you aren't sure, call us! Please! We will be glad to share our experience. Unfortunately, we don't guarantee sizing suggestions as too many variable like the "run small" vs. "snug and sexy" decisions that women make for themselves are beyond our control. Women and the men that buy sexy lingerie for women purchase intimate apparel for reasons that differ from buying outerwear. You may need to make a number of purchases before you become completely confident in purchasing sexy lingerie. 

6.    Don't be afraid of wearing plus size lingerie! Remember, sexy lingerie often fits snugly and sinfully short. You may not wear a large anywhere else, but Flirty Lingerie suggests you purchase a large or even an extra large or 1X. Why do we do that? Because sizing drifts some in lingerie dependant on such factors as how you want the lingerie item to fit. Example: Let's say you wear a size 34D bra. When sizing a corset you choose the first variable in your bra size- the 34- and ignore the cup size. So you would wear a size 34 corset- right? Maybe not. Lets say you had your breasts enhanced and your frame fit your breasts before the enhancement. So your waist and tummy are really that of a woman with 32B breasts, which was your bra size. Why would we suggest a size 32? Well, the corset would like fit your newly enhanced breasts, but the remainder of the corset that extends down to you waist would fit loosely, and perhaps not to your liking. See what we mean that sizing of intimate apparel needs to take into account your body type and other related variables. We often suggest that women consider a plus size garment, even though they are not otherwise plus size. Tall women, long waisted women, women who have had breast enhancements and other reasons are often good reasons to purchase plus size lingerie. On the other hand we also often suggest going down in size depending on how the woman wants to look and feel. When we know the purpose for which the garment will be used, dancers, theatre production, costume party, wanting to exaggerate bust and cleavage, we tailor our sizing and style suggestions. 

7.    Can my items be altered? We often get requests for alterations and unfortunately due to our volume we cannot offer those services. You don't really need a seamstress or a tailor to fix most lingerie garments as long as they are bigger than what you need. In other words, if the garment is too small, you are likely out of luck. Enlarging a garment is a minor to major production, while making it smaller is rather easy. Many of the professional dancers who frequent our retail store seek a seamstress, or more frequently a relative like a mom, aunt or friend who is familiar with a needle and thread to alter their garments. They want and need to see to it that their outfit or costume truly fits. Why can't you? You can, and likely you can do it yourself. Most sexy lingerie garments are simply sewn, with no pockets, zippers or other more complicated sewing configurations. Drawing in a seam is a simple matter of sewing the side seams and can be done in 15 minutes or less. Remember this when purchasing an item, as altering it to fit is not a major undertaking. 

8.  Men buying lingerie for women- Sizing suggestions. At Flirty Lingerie we encounter men who want to buy lingerie for the women in their lives and they are bewildered. If you cannot or do not want to get her sizes by asking her, or stealing a look in her lingerie drawer, here is a short suggestion list. Look in our Articles for more suggestions on how men can and should buy lingerie. When you call Flirty Lingerie and don't know her sizes you may try this old suggestion. While it is not exact, it gives us some idea of what sizes your girl wears: If your girls/wife's breasts are 2 half lemons= she is an A cup, 2 half oranges= she is a B cup, 2 half grapefruits= she is a C cup and she is 2 half melons= she is a D cup. Again, this is inexact. In our retail store men will often say to our sales associates " my girlfriend/wife's breasts are about your size". Since our sales associates are clothed at all times, and I couldn't tell you what type of bra she might be wearing, this is another inexact description. Nothing makes up for knowing her correct size, but any information is better than no information. 

Estimate as best you can her height, weight and other dimensions. We will often steer men and women with no to little sizing ideas away from items such as bras, corsets and leather to items that are more likely to fit such as babydoll, chemises and other items. Since lingerie often has a significant lycra spandex content, these are usually safe bets. Also, don't ignore sex toys and jewelry items that does not need sizes to purchase with confidence. 

9.    Buying sexy shoes. One of our hottest selling items are sexy sandals and platforms shoes and boots. All of our shoes and boots come in full sizes only, no half sizes, so purchase the next full size up if you usually purchase shoes in half sizes. Our shoes are refundable and exchangeable so not to worry. Also, you may want to go up in size if you are purchasing fetish shoes as the angle of your foot will make a larger size desirable. Be aware that when you are purchasing ankle and thigh high boots the foot size is one of two important sizes. The other is the calf or thigh circumference which is vital when purchasing boots, particularly thigh high boots. Many women who wear a particular size are completely unaware that their thighs are a factor as to whether the boots will fit. If you have thick thighs you may be unable to wear these boots comfortably unless the boots are stretched.